The longer and heavier vehicle debate: A review of empirical evidence from Germany

This paper aims to evaluate the likely effects of the adoption of Longer Heavier Vehicles (LHVs) from the perspective of logistics service providers (LSPs). The research consists of six case studies and a survey of companies which were involved LHV trials in Germany. Wider introduction of LHVs is being increasingly demanded so that road freight transport can better serve and support modern supply chains whilst achieving the desired eco-efficiency advancements. Available literature on LHVs puts a particular emphasis on five factors that need to be included in the assessment of their impact: energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions, costs, safety and infrastructure. The research provides an original and innovative empirical study refining and validating the current conceptual framework for assessing LHVs demonstrating it is a valuable tool and providing evidence that the vast majority of companies participating in the authors' study, regardless of their size, were interested in the adoption of LHVs. However, it should be noted that a key limitation of the research is that by focusing on a single country case, the nature and scale of the findings may not reflect practice in other countries and sectors. There is also a need to examine the long-term sustainability of the improvements made.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2015.08.003
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S136192091500108X
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13619209
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Rodrigues, Vasco Sanchez
  • Piecyk, Maja
  • Mason, Robert
  • Boenders, Tim
• Publication Date: 2015-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 114-131
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment
  • Volume: 40
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1361-9209
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13619209

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carbon dioxide; Environmental impacts; Freight consolidators; Freight transportation; Heavy vehicles; Highway transportation; Pollutants; Supply chain management; Sustainable transportation; Vehicle length
• Identifier Terms: Gigaliner
• Uncontrolled Terms: Longer combination vehicles
• Geographic Terms: Germany
• Subject Areas: Environment; Freight Transportation; Highways; Motor Carriers; Vehicles and Equipment; I15: Environment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01578808
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 23 2015 9:26AM